Bayside’s Nsombi Roberts First African-American Woman From NROTC Selected For Submarine Service

participated IN NJROTC at Bayside high

Southern University and A&M College Midshipman 1st Class Nsombi Roberts, from Palm Bay, Florida, was interviewed Oct. 29 by Adm. James F. Caldwell, Jr., the director, naval nuclear propulsion program and the top Navy officer in the submarine force in Washington, D.C.After passing her technical interviews and the interview with Caldwell, Roberts was selected for submarine service. (U.S. Navy image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Bayside High alumnae, Nsombi Roberts, has been recognized as the first African-American woman from the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) to serve aboard U.S. Navy submarines.

Now serving as part of Southern University and A&M College’s midshipman 1st class, Midshipman Roberts was selected for submarine service after passing her technical and entrance interviews.

“I really liked the challenge, and that’s why I wanted to go nuclear sub,” said Roberts. “I really want to be on a fast-attack sub but my ultimate aspiration is to command a submarine.”

The NROTC program develops midshipmen mentally, morally and physically and imbues them with the highest ideals of duty, loyalty and Navy core values in order to commission college graduates as Naval officers.

While enrolled at Bayside, Midshipman Roberts participated in the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) program and ascended to the rank of battalion commander.

Following her commissioning and graduation, Nsombi Roberts will attend nuclear propulsion school in Charleston, SC, prototype (nuclear power training unit) at one of several locations in the country and submarine school in Groton, CT, before being assigned to her first submarine. (U.S. Navy image)

She continues to be heavily involved in her school work and extracurricular activities in college, while majoring in chemistry with a minor in mathematics. She is also a member of the university’s quiz bowl team as well as Zeta Phi Beta sorority.

Midshipman Roberts is among more than 4,000 students enrolled in the NROTC program at 166 colleges and universities throughout the country. Upon graduation and completion of the NROTC program in May, she will commission as an ensign in the Navy.

Following her commissioning and graduation, Roberts will attend nuclear propulsion school in Charleston, SC, prototype (nuclear power training unit) at one of several locations in the country and submarine school in Groton, CT, before being assigned to her first submarine.